The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-11-02
REPORT OF GRAND JURY.

10 the Honorable, the Judge of the
18th judicial District of Louisiana,
in and for the Parish Of Rapides.
Your Grand Jury empanelled and
sworn to inquire into all violations OF
the law, which have come to our
knowledge. and to duly make pre-
sentiment thereof, beg leave to sub
nit this our final report.
| We have carefully investigated
| 1853 cases, and have found " no
bills, and 81 true bills, as follows:
| Murder, q; manslaughter, / /; ar
son. |; perjury, 5; breaking and
entering, robbery, s.; larceny, % ;
assault and battery, 4; assault with
deadly weapon, L; concealed weap-
ons, ID; selling liquor without IL
cense, 81; resisting an officer, /;
violating the Sunday law. /; chang
Ing and altering brand. /; disturb
ing public worship, 2; syndics fail
ing to work road, 2; gambling on
public highway, l; trespass, l.;
wounding less than mayhem, /; en-
bezzlement, l.
The horrible murder recently per-
petrated in Alexandria, the killing of
John Leckie, has been carefully in
vestigated by US, with the result as
herewith submitted.
We have carefully inquired into
the condition of the public roads
throughout the parish, and from the
information obtained learn the roads
generally are in pretty good condi-
ton, and IN but few instances have
the syndics failed to perform their
duty, the papers in which cases are
herewith submitted. We fiud, how
ever. that syndics as general thing
are in the habit OF putting off road
working until just before the meeting
of the regular term Of court, and
then the work is done hurriedly, and
oftentimes without the proper facili-
ties, wheelbarrows, tools and carts,
to make their work effectua!.
Through the courtesy of Mai.
Seip, the President of the Police
Jury, we have ascertained that the
finances of the Parish are in a -four
isbing condition. The Parish is on.
OF debt. except for which ample pro-
vision has been made. There is some
$500 old scrip outstanding, for
which the parish is not legally bound, ).
and consequently has not been. pro-
vided for. In this connection, We
suggest that the Parish Treasurer
publish in the official journal
his report, either annually, or semi
annually, as was the custom in for
mer years.
The Prohibition Of the sale of
whiskey, We find from our investiga-
tons, to be distasteful and repug-
nant to our people. 1t was passed
and has been maintained because of
the peculiar condition Of our society
and our race conditions. We are
satisfied that high license and an eff
Gent police is the best WY to regu-
late the sale of ardent spirits. By
this method the sale of liquor can be
permitted without harm and material
injury to our planting and farming
interests. We earnestly recommend
that the Legislature of our State
pass such laws as will secure the
safety and protection of our planting
and farming interests from the sale
OF whiskey by imposing high license,
which We feel assured is the proper
and best method of dealing with
this important question.
We visited the Parish Prison and
found the sanitary condition good,
and the prisoners well cared for.
The main building and oulhouses
and fences we found in thorough re-
pair, the only exception being the
stair case leading to the upper cells
from the outside. A large garden in
rear of prison yard, which is worked
by the prisoners, furnishes them veg
etables in their season for food pur-
poses. Much credit is due our wor-
thy Sheriff for the efficient manner
in which he cares for the prisoners
and the prison property.
We also visited the Public school
buildings, as has been the custom of
former Grand Juries. We were in
formed by the teachers in charge, of
the bad condition of the roofs Of the
buildings which should be attended
to at once. We think however this
matter comes under the auspices of
the School Board and the Town
Council of Alexandria. We wish to
direct particular attention of the
proper authorities to the filthy con-
dition of the water closet in the
Court House yard. 1t is extremely
offensive to the immediate neighbour
hood around, and the nuisance
should be abated at once.
Upon the whole we feel the people
Of Rapides have good cause to con-
graduate themselves. Crime, espcc-
tally that of a heinous nature, has
decreased. The laws are rigidly en-
forced, through the efficiency of our
Court. and the Jealous efforts of our
District Attorney. The Darochial